Naval Criminal Investigative Service

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), a U.S. government law enforcement agency under the Department of the Navy, was formally established on January 1, 1993, succeeding the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) founded in 1966, with roots in the 1882 Office of Naval Intelligence. Primarily civilian-led since 1992, NCIS conducts felony criminal investigations, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism, and security for Navy and Marine Corps personnel worldwide. Key activities include the Special Agent Afloat program and the pioneering Cold Case Homicide Unit (1995), solving 61 cases by 2020. Notable achievements encompass leading the USS Cole bombing investigation (2000) and family violence programs since 1996. Currently active with over 1,000 agents, no direct involvement in UAP/UFO research is documented in available sources.